Can the Potters defy the odds at Old Trafford? (From Northwich Guardian)

Manchester United v Stoke City: preview

2:28pm Friday 14th November 2008

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ONLY an idiot would go into tomorrow’s match at Old Trafford confidently predicting a Stoke City win.

Each of the other two promoted sides this year have had a mauling, Hull at the hands of Wigan Athletic and West Brom from the Red Devils.

There is a danger that a Stoke team full of endeavour, passion and the like will be utterly outclassed and put to the sword by a team whose star striker cost more than we spent on our stadium!

It would be easy to do the over-confident, let’s check the form book bit and say ‘ooooh, they’re a bit off form, aren’t they?’ But let’s be honest, this is a team with arguably the most talented footballer on Planet Earth in their ranks, Cristiano Ronaldo.

They have the luxury of choosing whether to partner Wayne Rooney with Dimitar Berbatov or Carlos Tevez.

Puts the Kitson v Sidibe debate into perspective, doesn’t it.

It would be easy to do the over-confident, let’s check the form book bit and say ‘ooooh, they’re a bit off form, aren’t they?’

Ian Probert warns against hoping for too much against the European champions

United have not been at their best, but it can take very little for a team with all their talent to turn it around. Let’s hope those sprinting lessons from Darren Campbell will not be needed too often.

A heavy defeat would be no disgrace given the advantages a club like Manchester United has over a club like Stoke City.

But at least our defence appears to be finding its feet. In the last four games we have conceded just one goal and that was in the fourth minute of injury time.

Given that United have been misfiring of late, a solid defensive display tomorrow will give us a fighting chance.

If Hull can put three goals past them, Stoke should be confident that they can score at the Theatre of Dreams.

Now hold your breath…